Sen. Dora Drake

Maddy summarySB 23 extends Medicaid eligibility for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days (one year) after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in the Medical Assistance program. The bill modifies eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family income above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if medical expenses for family members are covered, extending this eligibility to all family members. The bill requires federal approval for the 365-day extension to take effect.

Maddy summarySJR 92 is a ceremonial resolution that directs the Wisconsin Legislature to officially proclaim October 2025 as "Filipino American History Month" within the state. It recognizes the historical contributions of Filipino Americans, including their early settlements in the U.S., their growth in Wisconsin (over 22,000 residents), and their roles in fields like healthcare, education, and military service. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges this history to promote awareness and appreciation. It aligns with the national observance established in 1991 and follows Wisconsin's tradition of recognizing cultural heritage months.

Maddy summarySB 152 removes financial eligibility requirements for Wisconsin’s Alzheimer’s family and caregiver support program. It repeals section 46.87 (5m), which previously set income-based criteria, and amends related sections to no longer reference those financial limits. This change directly affects caregivers and family members of Alzheimer’s patients who previously faced income restrictions to access support services. The bill simplifies eligibility by eliminating income thresholds, allowing more individuals to qualify for program services regardless of household income. The law became effective after Governor approval on August 11, 2025 (Wisconsin Act 21).

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 23 proclaims the week of April 28 to May 2, 2025, as School Nutrition Professionals Appreciation Week in Wisconsin. This resolution recognizes the significant contributions of school nutrition professionals to the health and well-being of students across the state.

Maddy summarySJR 29 is a joint resolution that officially designates April 2025 and April 2026 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Months in Wisconsin. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about Parkinson's disease, its impact, and the need for ongoing research, education, and community support.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a director appointed by the Attorney General. It establishes state policy recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis and requires the office to develop strategies that address root causes like poverty, racism, and trauma while involving community partners and health experts. The legislation mandates that the office submit a written action plan to the legislature every two years detailing how it will use a public health approach to improve safety in high-risk communities. Additionally, the bill appropriates state funds to increase the authorized staff positions needed to direct this new office.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of Wisconsin. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state statutes that explicitly names the monarch in this role and updating the Wisconsin Blue Book to include butterflies alongside other official state symbols. While the legislation was introduced in the 2024 session, it did not pass into law during that legislative cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Workforce Development to study the feasibility of creating a grant program that funds guaranteed jobs in the care economy, such as healthcare, education, and social services. The proposed program would provide grants to public and nonprofit entities to offer at least 100 days of work at $20 per hour, with priority given to specific groups including youth, people with disabilities, low-income households, long-term unemployed individuals, and formerly incarcerated people. The study must analyze the number of positions needed, associated costs, training strategies, and pathways to full-time employment, with results to be reported to state officials within 18 months. To support this research, the bill appropriates an additional $250,000 for the fiscal year 2023-24.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing how Wisconsin voters select candidates for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives seats by implementing a top-five primary system followed by instant runoff voting. Under the new rules, voters in the primary election would be able to rank up to five candidates of their choice in order of preference, rather than selecting a single candidate from a specific party. If no candidate receives a majority of the first-choice votes in the general election, the system would automatically rerun the election using the voters' ranked preferences to determine a winner without requiring a second election. The legislation also includes provisions to ensure voters are clearly informed about how to cast votes across different party lines and how write-in candidates are handled within this ranked-choice framework.